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The VA Community Care Network

A Guide for Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) Providers

In California, independent Physician Assistants (PAs) can bill the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for services provided to veterans, but it’s essential to understand the regulations surrounding this process.

Welcome to Veterans Desk, your trusted resource for helping healthcare providers serve our nation’s veterans. This guide is designed for interventional cardiologists, cardiac cath lab teams, and diagnostic cardiac facilities who provide procedures such as coronary angiography, PCI, and the evaluation of structural or ischemic heart disease. If your facility is equipped to offer cardiac catheterization services, this guide outlines everything you need to join the VA Community Care Network (CCN).

Step-by-Step Enrollment in the VA CCN

Verify Your Credentials

Ensure you meet the eligibility standards:

  • Interventional cardiologists must hold board certification.
  • Cath lab facilities must be properly credentialed and accredited.

Prepare Required Documentation

Submit the following:

  • Valid medical licenses, NPI, and malpractice insurance
  • Hospital or outpatient cath lab accreditation
  • Staff credentials (e.g., ACLS, RCIS, RN licensure)
  • W-9 and organizational profile (for facilities)

Submit Your Application

Choose the correct regional CCN portal:

Complete Mandatory VA Training

VA requires training for hospital-based and specialty care providers:

Credentialing & Finalization

  • Undergo facility and provider credentialing.
  • Sign CCN agreements and begin receiving authorized referrals.

VA CCN Enrollment Page
Join the Network – TriWest

Why Cath Lab Services Matter to Veterans

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among U.S. veterans. From combat-related stress to lifestyle risk factors, veterans are highly vulnerable to cardiovascular disease. Timely access to elective and emergent cardiac catheterization procedures—including PCI and stenting—can prevent long-term cardiac damage and save lives.

As a cath lab provider, your services support:

  • Early diagnosis of coronary artery disease
  • Emergency intervention for acute myocardial infarction
  • Structural heart assessments using advanced imaging
  • Post-procedure cardiac follow-up and care coordination

Key Benefits of Joining the VA CCN

  • Deliver Comprehensive Cardiac Services: Provide PCI, angioplasty, stenting, and diagnostic imaging under VA authorization.

  • Emergency & Elective Access: Serve veterans in both emergent and outpatient care settings.

  • Fair Market Reimbursement: Receive competitive payment rates for both professional and facility-based services.

  • Collaborative Care: Coordinate with VA and community-based hospitals to ensure seamless transitions and follow-up.

  • Cardiology Integration: Enable VA patients to receive long-term management by non-VA cardiologists when appropriate.

Bridging the Gap for Veterans

Educational Support & Professional Growth

  • VA Education Benefits – Eligible veterans and dependents can use the GI Bill® to pursue training in cardiovascular technology, interventional cardiology, and allied health programs relevant to cath lab roles.

  • Loan Repayment Programs – Cath lab professionals, including interventional cardiologists, RNs, and RCIS-certified techs, may qualify for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) when working in VA or affiliated facilities.

Transitioning from Military Service

If you’re a former military cardiologist, radiologist, or medical officer:

  • Convert your credentials to civilian equivalents
  • Explore expedited licensing options for veterans.
  • Emphasize experience with combat-related cardiac care or deployment screening in your CCN application

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are elective and emergency cath procedures covered by VA?

Yes. Both elective and urgent cardiac catheterization procedures are covered when authorized or when performed under emergent circumstances.

Yes. Facilities and physicians may bill separately when using distinct NPIs and submitting appropriate claims documentation.

Yes. Follow-up care after PCI, angiography, or stenting is typically covered under the veteran’s care plan.

Yes. If your facility offers 24/7 access, be sure to indicate this during enrollment, as it increases your referral eligibility.

HIPAA Compliance Disclaimer

Veterans Desk is not a HIPAA-covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and is not subject to HIPAA privacy or security requirements. We do not collect, store, or transmit Protected Health Information (PHI) on behalf of veterans, healthcare providers, or any other party.

Our platform operates solely as an informational and networking resource. We offer membership access to a publicly viewable directory of VA Community Care Network (CCN) providers, along with educational links and resources. We do not provide direct medical referrals, coordinate patient care, or act as an intermediary between veterans and healthcare providers in any clinical capacity.

All communications, medical information, or personal data exchanged between a veteran and a provider occur outside of Veterans Desk and at the sole discretion and responsibility of the parties involved. Veterans Desk does not monitor, manage, or store these exchanges.

By using this site, you acknowledge and agree that:

  1. Veterans Desk is not your healthcare provider or representative.

     

  2. Veterans Desk does not give medical advice, make treatment recommendations, or guarantee provider performance.

     

  3. Any medical or personal information you choose to share with a provider is done independently and outside our control.

     

If you require medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please contact a licensed healthcare provider directly or use your VA-approved care coordination channels.

No Medical Advice

All content provided by Veterans Desk, including but not limited to articles, guides, directory listings, and linked resources, is for informational and educational purposes only. Veterans Desk does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and nothing on this site should be interpreted as such.

Use of this website does not create a patient–provider relationship between you and Veterans Desk, its staff, or any healthcare provider listed on the site. We strongly encourage all veterans and users to consult directly with a licensed healthcare professional or their VA-approved care coordinator before making any decisions related to their health, treatments, or medical care.

Veterans Desk makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of any information provided. Reliance on any information found on this site is solely at your own risk.